'Life in Chechnya getting normal'

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KATHMANDU, Sept. 6: Life in the Chechen Republic, which is hit by terrorism and religious extremism since 1993, is said to be gradually coming to normalcy.

This information was given at a photo exhibition and a documentary show organised by Nepal-Russia Friendship Association and the Russian Centre of Science and Culture here today. The photo exhibition was about the present situation in Chechnya.

Inaugurating the programme, Charge d'Affaires of the Russian Federation to Nepal V. Soldatenkov remarked that a gradual improvement was being seen in the social and economic condition of the Republic of Chechenya at present after the Russian government mobilised army there in anti-terrorist operation.

He said the government of the Russian Federation was rendering great economic assistance in the reconstruction of Chechenya.

The fight against terrorism should remain uppermost in the minds of all members of the international community, he said, adding that the world community was firm in its resolve towards the fight against terrorism and there was no alternative to this choice especially after the tragedy of September 11.

President of Nepal-Russia Friendship Association Bhagawan Ratna Tuladhar said that it is a matter of happiness for all that life was gradually returning to normalcy in Chechnya.

He stressed that terrorism should be eliminated in whichever part of the world it might be.

Association general secretary Gopal Shivakoti and director of the Russian Centre S. Kisilov spoke on the past and present situation in Chechnya.

Chechenya, a small and beutiful province in the caucasus region of the Russian Federation, had to go through difficult tragic period, which resulted from the Islamic extremism, separatist activities and international terrorism after the seizure of power there by what Russian government calls a criminal regime guilty of mass violations of human rights including murders, public executions, abductions and terrorist acts.

It is learnt that the violent activities by the terrorists affected many aspects and spheres of life and activities of that Republic.

Reconstruction is said to be going on in Chechenya at present under which schools, hospitals, industries etc., damaged during the war, are being restored.

Leo Club of Balaju to hold modeling contest next week

By Rameshwor Yadav

KATHMANDU, Sept. 7: The Leo Club of Balaju is organising its first ever Mr. and Miss Leo-2002 contest at the Birendra International Convention Center on Sept. 14.

Rajendra Jha, program coordinator, said that the fund collected from the show will be used to hold a free eye-camp at Pokha VDC of Kathmandu.

This will be the Club's first venture into modeling. Jha said this will help the youths to develop their skills and personalities to take part in other model contests.

There are 26 contestants - 13 boys and 13 girls, both first timers and greens. They are receiving training from Suchitra Acharya, the reigning Miss Kathmandu, under the Eaglet De Team. The Team is supporting the contest in organising and training. The team has been working to develop modeling in Nepal for the last three years.

The contest will choose Mr. and Miss Leo, the 1st and the 2nd Runners Up, best cat walk, Mr. and Miss photogenic, best disciplined models and the audience's choice.

Speaking to Journalists, Mani Ratna Bajracharya, former president of the Leo Club of Balaju said that the Nepal Model Contest, which is being held at a much larger scale just two days after the Leo's programme, will not affect this programme. "They may have experienced models, but ours have zeal and enthusiasm," Bajracharya said. Our contest will help them to step into professionalism.

Suchitra Acharya said that one needs good education, self-confidence, discipline and parental support to become a successful model.

Acharya, professionally a choreographer, is taking part in the Nepal Model Contest.

Nepal to host international conference on renewable energy

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LALITPUR, Sept. 6: An international conference on renewable energy policy for rural development is to be organised in Kathmandu in October 2003, pointing out the need for the development and promotion of renewable energy in the context of a majority of the country's population deprived from electricity.

Some 400 experts from more than 25 countries around the world will participate in the conference to be held under the joint auspices of the Institute of Engineering Energy Studies and Nepal Solar Energy Society.

Earlier, such a conference was also held in 1998 and various proposals passed by the conference have been implemented.

Addressing a meeting organised Friday in connection with holding discussions on the preparations for the conference, dean of the Institute of Engineering Prof. (Dr.) Jib Raj Pokharel said that Nepal should also give emphasis to the development and promotion of renewable energy technology in the light of the recently concluded earth summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa attaching high priority to renewable energy promotion.

Chairman of the conference organising committee and executive director of the centre Prof. Jagan Nath Shrestha expressed the view that the conference would be useful in pooling the experience and knowledge of related experts from the country and abroad in implementation of the renewable energy development technology for the country's sustainable development.